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by **LFC #1** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 12:16 pm

UEFA have backed referee Damir Skomina to stop play in the Under-21 European Championship final if Serbia fans are heard racially abusing Holland players.

Skomina, from Slovenia, could take the players off the pitch at Groningen's Euroborg Stadion if there is a repeat of the racist chanting towards Nedum Onuoha during England's win over Serbia earlier in the tournament.

UEFA president Michel Platini is determined to tackle racism and the governing body for football in Europe would support a stand to protect players and other fans.

'The referee is in charge and we would support him if he heard racist chanting and took the players off,' said UEFA director of communications William Gaillard ahead of tomorrow's final. 'Racism is something we will not tolerate.

'Michel Platini has said many times that he would support this as racism has no place in the sport.

'The referee can stop the game in the same way as if there would be a thunderstorm. It could be interpreted in different ways but it has to understood that it will not be tolerated.'

Serbia still face investigation from UEFA for the chanting at Onuoha in Nijmegen and their players were also accused of racially abusing England players. UEFA will also look at the conduct of England players in a mass brawl.

An impromptu announcement was made to urge fans to stop chanting, with England fans also playing a role making sure the racism stopped.

Gaillard added: 'England fans were magnificent in the way they sang their own songs to drown out the racist chants.'

UEFA, however, were criticised after the ugly scenes for not having the power to throw Serbia out of the competition.

Anti-racism campaigners would support stopping play if racist chants were heard, even if it offers the perception that the perpetrators will get their way.

A Kick It Out spokesperson said: 'The referee is meant to treat racist chanting in the same way as missiles being thrown or fireworks.

'They could stop the game and get the safety officers to broadcast a warning to fans and then carry on with the game. You have to do what is best for the players so we would call for the referee to take action like that.'

Holland and Serbia will wear anti-racism t-shirts before the final.

Seems fair enough, it's something which is a real problem in Slavic/Eastern European football and needs to be stopped.

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Racism could halt under-21 final, claim uefa

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